RIVERSIDE, Calif. (September 15, 2025) – Behind goals from Tyler Glassberg, Nigel Prince, and Joe Suchecki, Northwestern (4-2-1, 0-1-0 B1G) stormed back from a two-goal halftime deficit to defeat UC Riverside (2-3-1) by a 3-2 final this afternoon at the UC Riverside Soccer Stadium in Riverside, Calif.
Today's victory marks the first time since August 31, 2001 that Northwestern has secured a result after trailing by two goals.
How It Happened
Northwestern found itself in an early hole following a seventh-minute goal by Andrija Radonjic that put the hosts up, 1-0. Suchecki came close to providing a response only five minutes later, drilling a left-footed strike off the crossbar.
After seeing UC Riverside double its lead, 2-0, through an Edward Castro goal in the 22nd minute, the 'Cats looked to ramp up their pressure. Omar Jallow forced a save out of Highlanders netminder Andrew Hermosillo near the half-hour mark, before Prince saw his headed effort denied by the UC Riverside goalkeeper shortly after.
Staring at a 2-0 deficit coming out of halftime, Northwestern found its breakthrough in the 61st minute. Glassberg rose up to meet Andrew Johnson's cross, heading in at the near post to put the 'Cats on the board, 2-1.
With time ticking away, the 'Cats cashed in for the equalizer on a set-piece opportunity in the 80th minute. Suchecki lofted a ball towards the front of the six-yard box that connected flush with Prince, who directed past Hermosillo at close range to knot the game up at 2-2.
Northwestern completed its comeback with just under three minutes to play in the second half. Following a foul inside the 18-yard box, Suchecki stepped up to calmly slot his penalty kick into the back of the net, giving the Wildcats a 3-2 advantage. Rafael Ponce de León added a leaping stop in the 89th minute, turning away Adrian Diaz's bid for an equalizer, to cement a thrilling victory for the visitors.
Looking At The Numbers
- Suchecki paced the Wildcat attack on the afternoon, scoring his team-best fourth goal of the season, in addition to his second assist.
- Prince netted his second goal of the campaign, while Glassberg opened his 2025 account.
- Johnson and Italo Addimandi were credited with assists on Glassberg's tally.
- After an opening 45 minutes in which it held an 8-5 edge in shots, Northwestern dominated the pace of play in the second half, outshooting UC Riverside by an 11-3 margin.
- Highlighted by his acrobatic stop in the closing minutes, Ponce de León finished his afternoon with four saves in goal.
Up Next
Northwestern returns to Big Ten Conference play on Friday, September 19, welcoming Rutgers to Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff.
Today's victory marks the first time since August 31, 2001 that Northwestern has secured a result after trailing by two goals.
COMEBACK 'CATS ??
— Northwestern Men's Soccer (@NUMensSoccer) September 15, 2025
?? 61' Glassberg
?? 80' Prince
?? 87' Suchecki pic.twitter.com/1yb6DCPfcD
How It Happened
Northwestern found itself in an early hole following a seventh-minute goal by Andrija Radonjic that put the hosts up, 1-0. Suchecki came close to providing a response only five minutes later, drilling a left-footed strike off the crossbar.
After seeing UC Riverside double its lead, 2-0, through an Edward Castro goal in the 22nd minute, the 'Cats looked to ramp up their pressure. Omar Jallow forced a save out of Highlanders netminder Andrew Hermosillo near the half-hour mark, before Prince saw his headed effort denied by the UC Riverside goalkeeper shortly after.
Staring at a 2-0 deficit coming out of halftime, Northwestern found its breakthrough in the 61st minute. Glassberg rose up to meet Andrew Johnson's cross, heading in at the near post to put the 'Cats on the board, 2-1.
61' | Glassberg nets his first goal of the season to pull one back!
— Northwestern Men's Soccer (@NUMensSoccer) September 15, 2025
UCR 2, 'Cats 1 https://t.co/Hbbs4EQLTo pic.twitter.com/deSGAaYoAH
With time ticking away, the 'Cats cashed in for the equalizer on a set-piece opportunity in the 80th minute. Suchecki lofted a ball towards the front of the six-yard box that connected flush with Prince, who directed past Hermosillo at close range to knot the game up at 2-2.
80' | Prince directs home Suchecki's service to knot this one up!
— Northwestern Men's Soccer (@NUMensSoccer) September 15, 2025
'Cats 2, UCR 2 https://t.co/q5kJMX6zhx pic.twitter.com/JgheYdTd4n
Northwestern completed its comeback with just under three minutes to play in the second half. Following a foul inside the 18-yard box, Suchecki stepped up to calmly slot his penalty kick into the back of the net, giving the Wildcats a 3-2 advantage. Rafael Ponce de León added a leaping stop in the 89th minute, turning away Adrian Diaz's bid for an equalizer, to cement a thrilling victory for the visitors.
87' | Suchecki slots home from the penalty spot to turn this one around!
— Northwestern Men's Soccer (@NUMensSoccer) September 15, 2025
'Cats 3, UCR 2 https://t.co/zt1oOyCnqi pic.twitter.com/bUgtb6M3yJ
Looking At The Numbers
- Suchecki paced the Wildcat attack on the afternoon, scoring his team-best fourth goal of the season, in addition to his second assist.
- Prince netted his second goal of the campaign, while Glassberg opened his 2025 account.
- Johnson and Italo Addimandi were credited with assists on Glassberg's tally.
- After an opening 45 minutes in which it held an 8-5 edge in shots, Northwestern dominated the pace of play in the second half, outshooting UC Riverside by an 11-3 margin.
- Highlighted by his acrobatic stop in the closing minutes, Ponce de León finished his afternoon with four saves in goal.
Up Next
Northwestern returns to Big Ten Conference play on Friday, September 19, welcoming Rutgers to Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff.